Wheel component and method for manufacturing a wheel component

Abstract

The invention relates to a wheel component (1, 20) for a vehicle wheel, the wheel component having a hub (2), a rim (4, 21) for receiving a tyre of the wheel, and spokes (7) connecting the hub (2) to the rim (4, 21), the hub (2) being connectable to a hub flange of the vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner and at least partially comprising a metal material. The wheel component comprises at least one spoke (7), the spoke (7) comprising a spoke portion (8, 24), the spoke portion comprising an injection moulded thermoplastic material, and the spoke (7) further comprising a spoke reinforcing element (9, 25) at least partially embedded in the spoke portion. The spoke reinforcing element at least partially comprises a fibre reinforced plastic material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a wheel component for a vehicle wheel and to a method for producing the wheel component. Background Art

[0002] Motor vehicles usually have four wheels, each wheel including a wheel component and a tire. The wheel component includes a central hub, at least one spoke and a rim. The rim usually provides the exterior of the wheel component and holds the tire.

[0003] Known wheel components are usually made of steel or aluminum. Less commonly, wheel components can also be made of thermoplastic materials instead of aluminum, for example. Thermoplastic materials have a lower density and can be used to produce wheel components with relatively complex shapes compared to aluminum, so that special design requirements can be met. Thermoplastic wheel components are known, but currently only meet the requirements of small vehicles (i.e. microcars) and are therefore not used for large numbers of vehicles in industry. One such thermoplastic wheel component can be viewed online at the following address: http: / / www.smartforvision.basf.com / #kunststoff-felge. Various other wheel components have been proposed, some of which will now be described in this article.

[0004] US 2014 / 0346845A1 relates to a wheel component having a rim and a spoke structure made of fiber-reinforced plastic material connected thereto. An insert is embedded in the center of the spoke structure made of fiber-reinforced plastic material. The insert protrudes in at least one area outside the surface of the fiber-reinforced plastic material, thereby forming at least one contact surface.

[0005] US 4 017 348 A relates to a composite wheel for a heavy goods vehicle having a cylindrical element having an inner layer comprising a laminated belt structure wound on a non-circular mandrel. The cylindrical element has a large number of forming parts comprising chopped fibers in epoxy resin. The inner surface of each part corresponds to the non-circular belt structure, and the outer surface forms a tire bead retaining member and a drop center part of the wheel. The outer layer comprising the laminated belt structure surrounds the forming part. A wheel web element made of chopped fibers in epoxy resin has an outer surface corresponding to the non-circular configuration of the cylindrical element. The web element comprises two parts fixed to the cylindrical element.

[0006] WO 2015 / 069111 A1 relates to a wheel suitable for a vehicle and having a rim with a rim base. The rim base has a wrap-around strip having a fiber-reinforced thermoplastic or thermosetting polymer matrix.

[0007] US 2013 / 0049443A1 relates to a wheel for a motor vehicle, the wheel having a wheel element with a rim tape for receiving a tire, a rim star or a wheel disc and a through hole formed in the rim star or a wheel disc for fixing the wheel to a hub of the motor vehicle. The wheel is made of a polymer material and at least one reinforcing element is accommodated in the rim tape for reinforcement.

[0008] US 2005 / 0104441 A1 relates to a fiber-reinforced truck wheel and a method for producing a fiber-reinforced truck wheel. The fiber-reinforced truck wheel is produced by spirally winding a suitable fiber cloth to form a rim and by hardening the rim and the disk in a mold.

[0009] US 4 532 097 A relates to a preformed mold for a fiber reinforced plastic wheel. The preformed mold has a substantially planar spoke portion having a resin reinforced with randomly oriented fibers, wherein each fiber has a length of about 1.27 cm to 5.08 cm. The preformed mold has a first tubular portion, which is a fiber reinforced resin film and surrounds the spoke portion about an axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the plane of the spoke portion. The preformed mold also has a second tubular portion, which is arranged substantially coaxially with respect to the first tubular portion, surrounds the first tubular portion, and has a fiber reinforced resin film. The fiber reinforced resin films of the first and second tubular portions have randomly distributed chopped fibers and continuous fibers of about 1.27 cm to 5.08 cm in length in a ratio of about 1:1 to 1:4. The fiber reinforced plastic wheel is manufactured by compression molding the preformed mold.

[0010] The publication “JEC World 2017: Show report, part 1” discloses a reinforced carbon fiber plastic wheel component, which includes only a fiber reinforced plastic material or aluminum and a fiber reinforced plastic material. Summary of the invention

[0011] A wheel component according to an exemplary aspect of the invention comprises, among other components, at least one spoke, the spoke comprising a spoke portion and a spoke reinforcing element at least partially embedded in the spoke portion. The spoke portion comprises a thermoplastic material, and the spoke reinforcing element at least partially comprises a fiber reinforced plastic material.

[0012] In another non-limiting embodiment of the above wheel component, the wheel component includes a hub configured to be connected to a hub flange of a vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner. The hub at least partially includes a metal material. And the wheel component includes a rim configured to receive a tire, and at least one spoke connects the hub to the rim.

[0013] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above wheel components, the wheel component further comprises a retaining element, which is arranged on the hub. Furthermore, the spoke reinforcing element comprises a ring protruding from at least one spoke on the hub side, and the ring is guided around the retaining element.

[0014] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, the spoke reinforcement element is configured as a flexible strip.

[0015] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, the retaining element has a drop-like shaped cross-section, and the circular portion of the retaining element is disposed toward the center of the hub.

[0016] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, the hub is substantially cylindrical.

[0017] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, at least one anchoring element is embedded in the spoke portion and is disposed on an outer surface of the hub.

[0018] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, the anchoring element is substantially T-shaped.

[0019] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above wheel components, the rim has a rim portion comprising a thermoplastic material, and a reinforcing element is at least partially arranged on the rim portion, and the rim reinforcing element at least partially comprises a fiber reinforced plastic material.

[0020] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above wheel components, the spoke portion is materially connected to the spoke reinforcement element, and the rim portion is materially connected to the rim reinforcement element.

[0021] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the above wheel components, a ring of the spoke reinforcing element protrudes from at least one spoke on the rim side and is guided around at least a portion of the rim reinforcing element.

[0022] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, the spoke portion and the rim portion are integrally connected to one another.

[0023] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing wheel components, at least one spoke is one of a plurality of substantially similar spokes.

[0024] A method for manufacturing a wheel component according to an exemplary aspect of the invention comprises, among other steps, manufacturing a subassembly by connecting at least one spoke reinforcement element at least partially comprising a fiber reinforced plastic material to a hub configured to be connected to a hub flange of a vehicle. The hub is substantially cylindrical and at least partially comprises a metal material.

[0025] In another non-limiting embodiment of the foregoing method, manufacturing the subassembly includes guiding a ring of at least one spoke reinforcing element around a retaining element of the hub.

[0026] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the retaining element has a drop-shaped cross-section, and the circular portion of the retaining element is disposed toward the center of the hub.

[0027] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes injection molding the subassembly using a thermoplastic material by injecting the thermoplastic material into an injection molding tool such that an axial end side of the hub is not covered by the thermoplastic material.

[0028] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the method includes at least partially curing the thermoplastic material within an injection molding tool, and opening the injection molding tool and removing the subassembly injection molded using the thermoplastic material from the opened injection molding tool.

[0029] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, the injection molded subassembly is one of a solid component portion, a foamed component portion, a component portion configured as a hollow element, and a component portion having a rib structure.

[0030] In another non-limiting embodiment of any of the foregoing methods, during injection molding of the subassembly using the thermoplastic material, a rim portion of a rim of the wheel component is simultaneously formed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary wheel component;

[0032] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of a wheel component;

[0033] Figure 3 It shows Figure 1 A schematic cross-sectional view of one aspect of a wheel component;

[0034] Figure 4 It shows Figure 3 Another schematic cross-sectional view of an aspect of ;

[0035] Figure 5is a schematic cross-sectional view of another exemplary wheel component;

[0036] Figure 6 is a flow chart representing an exemplary method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] The present invention relates to a wheel component for a vehicle wheel and to a method for manufacturing a wheel component. An exemplary wheel component according to an exemplary aspect of the present invention includes at least one spoke, the spoke including a spoke portion and a spoke reinforcing element at least partially embedded in the spoke portion. The spoke portion includes a thermoplastic material, and the spoke reinforcing element at least partially includes a fiber reinforced plastic material. The disclosed arrangement provides a number of benefits that will be understood from the following written description.

[0038] The object of the present invention is to provide a lightweight wheel component for a wheel which is subjected to high mechanical loads. Reducing the weight of the wheel component has various advantages. Firstly, the total weight of the vehicle is reduced by reducing the weight of the wheel component, which leads to a reduction in fuel consumption. Furthermore, the unsprung masses of the vehicle are reduced by reducing the weight of the wheel component, which leads to improved driving quality, improved driving comfort and improved cornering performance. Furthermore, by reducing the weight of the wheel component, the rotational mass of the wheel component is reduced, which contributes to improved acceleration performance.

[0039] The object is therefore achieved by providing a wheel component having at least one spoke, the spoke having a spoke portion comprising an injection-molded thermoplastic material and into which a spoke reinforcement element at least partially comprising a fiber reinforcement element is at least partially embedded. In this way, a wheel component partially comprising thermoplastic is able to meet the requirements of larger and heavier vehicles, since the wheel component exhibits a higher level of stiffness and strength in critical areas.

[0040] It should be noted that the features and measures listed individually in the following description can be combined with one another in any technically advantageous manner and describe further embodiments of the invention. The description, in particular in conjunction with the drawings, further characterizes and specifies the invention. The spoke reinforcement element can also include a rigid foam.

[0041] For the avoidance of doubt, in the present invention, the term "wheel" includes both "wheel component" and "tyre". In other words, the "tyre" forms part of the "wheel" but is a different structure from the "wheel component". Furthermore, the wheel component comprises a central hub, at least one spoke and an outer rim. The wheel component is not referred to herein as a "rim". Instead, the individual components of the wheel component are identified in a technically correct manner. In particular, the term "rim" is strictly speaking to be understood as only the outer part of the wheel component that receives the tyre, rather than the entire wheel component, especially when the wheel component according to the invention has at least two separately manufactured parts connected to each other.

[0042] In the present invention, a relatively lightweight wheel component is provided, since, apart from the hub of the wheel component, no metal components are present. In particular, the wheel component according to the present invention is lighter than a correspondingly configured wheel component made entirely of aluminum. Moreover, the arrangement and configuration of the spokes allow the wheel component to receive higher mechanical loads than a wheel component made solely of thermoplastic material. Therefore, the wheel component is also suitable for heavier vehicles (e.g., so-called "B vehicles", "C vehicles" and "D vehicles"; also referred to as "B-class vehicles", "C-class vehicles" and "D-class vehicles"). In addition, the use of an injection molding method to manufacture the spoke portion from a thermoplastic material also makes a more complex configuration of the wheel component possible, thereby particularly increasing the degree of freedom in design. The spoke portion can be manufactured in particular without complex reprocessing of the wheel component.

[0043] The thermoplastic material of the spoke portion and the rim portion may be fiber reinforced (and for example polyamide, polypropylene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS)) or other suitable thermoplastic material containing short or long reinforcing fibers therein. The reinforcing fibers may for example be made of carbon, glass, aramid, etc. Furthermore, the plastic material may be at least partially foamed by a physical or chemical propellant during the component manufacturing process.

[0044] The spoke reinforcement element can be configured as a flexible belt. The belt can have fibers oriented unidirectionally, bidirectionally or multidirectionally. The belt can have different layers that differ from each other due to the respective orientation of the fibers contained therein. Two or more identically or differently formed belt-shaped spoke reinforcement elements can also be partially or completely embedded in the spokes. A portion of the corresponding belt-shaped spoke reinforcement element can protrude at one or both ends of the corresponding spoke. These portions can be used to fix the spokes to the rim and / or the hub. The plastic parts of the spoke reinforcement element can be similar to or identical to the plastic parts of thermoplastic material. These plastic parts can thus be connected to each other in a material-bonded manner under the action of heat, in particular during an injection molding operation. Alternatively, the spoke reinforcement element can be configured as an organic sheet or an organic film.

[0045] The assembly holes are formed in the wheel hub and can be connected to the wheel hub flange of the vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner. When the wheel component is fixed to the wheel hub flange, the assembly holes engage bolts fixed to the wheel hub flange or wheel screws screwed into threaded holes in the wheel hub flange. In one example, the wheel hub can be partially or completely made of aluminum.

[0046] The rim for receiving the wheel tyre may also be made at least partially of a thermoplastic material, which may or may not be fiber-reinforced and / or foamed. Alternatively, the rim may be made at least partially of a metal material.

[0047] The spokes can extend linearly or radially or in a curved manner between the hub and the rim. In addition, the spokes can form a continuous spoke structure or can be configured independently of each other.

[0048] According to an embodiment of the invention, at least one retaining element is arranged on the hub, wherein the spoke reinforcing element is configured as a flexible band and at least one ring of the spoke reinforcing element protruding from the spoke on the hub side is guided around the retaining element on the hub side. The reinforcing element is thus configured, for example, as a band. By means of the ring guided around the retaining element on the hub side, the spoke is connected to the hub in a non-rigidly locked manner so that high radial forces can also be transferred from the spoke to the hub and vice versa. The retaining element is preferably configured integrally in the hub. The hub can have a separate retaining element for each spoke. The fiber-reinforced, ribbon-shaped spoke reinforcing element can be guided around the retaining element on the hub side to form a wheel component, can subsequently be guided up to a portion of the rim and can be guided around the portion. Subsequently, the spoke reinforcing element can be guided back to the hub again and around the retaining element again on the hub side. The more frequently this operation is performed, the higher the degree of reinforcement achieved using the spoke reinforcing element.

[0049] The retaining element has a drop-shaped cross section and can in particular be a teardrop-shaped cross section. The rounded portion of the retaining element points in the direction of the center of the hub. The spoke reinforcement element configured as a flexible fiber reinforcement strip can thus abut against the rounded face of the retaining element, thereby significantly reducing, if not completely preventing, the likelihood of a breakage of the reinforcement fibers of the spoke reinforcement element.

[0050] In a further embodiment, the hub is configured in a substantially cylindrical manner and at least one anchoring element embedded in the spoke portion is arranged on the outer cover surface of the hub. The connection between the spoke portion and the hub is thereby enhanced. In this embodiment, when the spokes are manufactured by means of an injection molding method, the anchoring elements are injection molded in a rigidly locked manner. The hub preferably has at least one anchoring element for each spoke. The anchoring elements and the spoke reinforcement element allow unrestricted forces to enter the spoke from the hub and vice versa.

[0051] The anchoring element is configured in a T-shaped manner. The anchoring element thus has a first web which extends radially relative to the hub and on its end facing away from the hub a second web extending tangentially is arranged. Alternatively, the anchoring element can be configured, for example, in a nail-like manner and can have a round nail head.

[0052] According to another embodiment, the spokes are configured as solid, foamed, as hollow elements or with a rib structure. Due to the configuration of the spokes, the wheel component can be optimally adapted to the respective requirements. By configuring the spokes as hollow elements, for example using fluid injection techniques such as gas injection techniques or water injection techniques, the weight of the wheel component can be reduced. Due to the configuration of the spokes with a rib structure, the weight of the wheel component can also be reduced, while the stiffness of the spokes is increased by the rib structure.

[0053] According to another embodiment, the rim has at least one rim portion, which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material, and at least one rim reinforcing element at least partially comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic material is at least partially arranged on the at least one rim portion. The rim portion may partially or completely form a rim base of the rim. The rim reinforcing element may be configured as a flexible tape, which is, for example, wound to extend around the rim base. The tape may have fibers oriented unidirectionally, bidirectionally or multidirectionally. The tape may have different layers, which differ from each other due to the orientation of the fibers contained therein. Two or more identical or differently configured strip-shaped rim reinforcing elements may also be partially or completely arranged on the rim. The plastic components of the rim reinforcing element may be similar or identical to the plastic components of the thermoplastic material of the rim portion. These plastic components can thus be connected to each other in a material-bonded manner under the action of heat, in particular during an injection molding operation. Alternatively, the rim reinforcing element may be configured as an organic sheet or an organic film.

[0054] Another embodiment provides that at least one ring of the spoke reinforcement element protrudes from the spoke on the rim side and is guided radially outside around at least a portion of the rim reinforcement element. The spoke is thus connected to the rim in a non-rigidly locked manner so that radial forces can be transmitted from the spoke to the rim and vice versa.

[0055] According to another embodiment, the spoke portion and the rim portion are integrally connected to each other. This gives the wheel component a higher strength. In particular, the spoke portion and the rim portion can be manufactured using the same injection molding material during a single injection molding operation. The simultaneous manufacturing of the spoke portion and the rim portion in a single injection molding process allows for foaming of the thermoplastic material to further reduce weight. In this case, the foaming process can be achieved by physical or chemical propellants.

[0056] According to a further embodiment, the spoke portion is connected in a materially joined manner to the spoke reinforcement element and / or the rim portion is connected in a materially joined manner to the rim reinforcement element. The strength of the wheel component is thereby further increased. The materially joined connection between the spoke portion and the spoke reinforcement element and / or the rim portion and the rim reinforcement element can be achieved by using plastic components that are similar or identical to the injection molded thermoplastic material in the spoke reinforcement element or the rim reinforcement element and by the action of heat during the manufacture of the wheel component.

[0057] An exemplary method for manufacturing the above-mentioned wheel component includes the following steps: manufacturing a subassembly by connecting a spoke reinforcement element that at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material to a wheel hub flange that can be connected to a vehicle and is configured in a substantially cylindrical manner and at least partially comprises a metal material; introducing the subassembly into an open injection molding tool and closing the injection molding tool; injection molding the subassembly with a thermoplastic material by injecting the thermoplastic material into the closed injection molding tool so that the axial end side of the hub is at least mainly not covered by the thermoplastic material; at least partially solidifying the thermoplastic material in the injection molding tool; and then opening the injection molding tool and removing the subassembly injection molded with the thermoplastic material from the opened injection molding tool.

[0058] The advantages described above with respect to the wheel component are therefore associated with the method. In particular, the wheel components can be manufactured with one another using the method according to any combination of one of the above-described embodiments or at least two of these embodiments. Furthermore, embodiments of the wheel component can correspond to embodiments of the method and vice versa, even if this is not explicitly referred to in the individual cases below.

[0059] For example, in order to manufacture a subassembly for each spoke, a strip-shaped flexible spoke reinforcement element can be guided around a single retaining element on the hub. The subassembly manufactured in this way can be introduced into an open injection molding tool by means of the spoke reinforcement element fixed in the injection molding tool in its desired shape. Subsequently, the injection molding tool can be closed so that the subassembly can be injection molded with a thermoplastic material so that the axial end side of the hub is not at least mainly covered with thermoplastic material. The axial end side can thus be used to firmly contact the hub flange and the wheel screw or wheel nut. When the subassembly is injection molded, a rim portion can be configured simultaneously with the spoke portion. By adding a physical or chemical propellant to the thermoplastic material, the spoke portion and / or the rim portion can be at least partially foamed. After injection molding of the subassembly, the thermoplastic material can be partially or completely cooled inside the injection molding tool (in particular by heat removal) until a dimensionally stable removal temperature.

[0060] According to another embodiment, a solid component part, a foamed component part, a component part configured as a hollow element or a component part having a rib structure is formed from a thermoplastic material when the subassembly is injection molded. The advantages described above with respect to the corresponding embodiments of the wheel component are therefore associated with this embodiment.

[0061] Another embodiment provides that a portion of the rim of the wheel component is simultaneously formed during the injection molding of the subassembly using thermoplastic material. In this case, the rim can be connected to the spokes, in particular in a materially joined manner, or can be manufactured integrally with the spokes. By adding a physical or chemical propellant to the thermoplastic material, the spoke portion and / or the rim portion can be at least partially foamed.

[0062] Now refer to the attached Figure 1-6 In the individual figures, identical components are always provided with the same reference symbols, so that they are usually also described only once.

[0063] Figure 1 1 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a wheel component 1 according to the invention for a wheel of a vehicle (not shown). The tire of the wheel is also not shown.

[0064] The wheel component 1 has a hub 2 which can be connected to a wheel flange (not shown) of a vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner and which consists entirely of a metal material, in particular aluminum. The hub 2 is configured to be solid and substantially cylindrical. Three or more (e.g. five) mounting holes 3 are configured in the hub 2 for mounting the wheel component 1 on the wheel flange. Additional details for configuring the hub 2 will be described in detail below. Figure 3 and 4 Understand.

[0065] The wheel component 1 also has a rim 4 for receiving a tire (also not shown) of the wheel. The rim 4 has a rim portion 5, which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material and on which a rim reinforcement element 6 is arranged, which at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The rim reinforcement element 6 is configured as a flexible strip, which is wound around the rim portion 5 to form a rim base. The rim portion 5 can be connected to the rim reinforcement element 6 in a material-joined manner.

[0066] Furthermore, the wheel component 1 has, for example, five spokes 7, which connect the hub 2 to the rim 4. Each spoke 7 has a spoke portion 8, which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material, and a portion of a spoke reinforcing element 9 is embedded in the spoke portion 8, which at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material. In this example, the spoke reinforcing element 9 is configured as a flexible strip. Each spoke portion 8 can be configured as solid, foamed, as a hollow element or with a rib structure, which is not shown. The rim portion 5 and the spoke portion 8 are integrally connected to each other. The ring 10 of the spoke reinforcing element 9 extending from the corresponding spoke 7 is guided around at least a portion of the rim reinforcing element 6 on the radial outside. The spoke portion 8 can be connected to the spoke reinforcing element 9 in a material-joined manner. The spokes 7 or the spoke portions 8 are integrally connected to each other on the hub side and thus form a coherent spoke structure.

[0067] For each spoke 7, Figure 3 and 4 The individual retaining elements shown in the figure are arranged on the hub 2. Each retaining element has a drop-shaped cross section, the round part of which points in the direction of the center 11 of the hub 2. The ring 12 of the spoke reinforcement element 9 protruding from the corresponding spoke 7 on the hub side is guided around the corresponding retaining element on the hub side.

[0068] Figure 3 and 4 A plurality of anchoring elements 19 shown in FIG. 1 are arranged on the outer cover surface 13 of the hub 2 and are embedded in the spoke portions 8 of the corresponding spokes 7. Each anchoring element is configured in a T-shaped manner.

[0069] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A schematic sectional view of a wheel component 1 is shown in FIG. Figure 2 The rim portion 5 is shown almost completely wrapped with a rim reinforcement element 6. It can also be seen that the hub 2 has axial mounting surfaces 14 and 15 which are not covered by thermoplastic material.

[0070] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 Schematic cross-sectional view of a detail of a wheel component 1 shown in FIG. The connection area between the hub 2 and the spokes 7 is shown. The section extends parallel to the Figure 1 and 2 The longitudinal center axis of the wheel component 1 is the center of the hub 2 shown in FIG.

[0071] For each spoke 7, a single retaining element 16 is arranged on the hub 2, only one of which is Figure 3 The retaining element 16 has a drop-shaped cross section as shown, with the circular portion pointing toward the center 11 ( Figure 1 and 2). The ring 12 of the spoke reinforcement element 9 protruding on the hub side of the shown spoke 7 is guided on the hub side around the retaining element 16. The retaining element 16 protrudes with its rounded part into the recess 18 in the hub 2 so that a U-shaped guide groove 17 is left.

[0072] On the outer cover surface 13 of the hub 2 a plurality of T-shaped anchoring elements 19 are arranged, each T-shaped anchoring element 19 being embedded in the spoke portion 8 of a corresponding spoke 7. The spoke portion 8 surrounds the anchoring element 19 in a rigidly locked manner.

[0073] Figure 4 yes Figure 3 Another schematic sectional view of a detail of a wheel component 1 shown in FIG. The section is perpendicular to the plane extending through Figure 1 and 2 The center of the hub 2 is shown cut through the longitudinal center axis of the wheel component 1 .

[0074] and Figure 3 In comparison, the strip-like configuration of the spoke reinforcement element 9 can be seen. It can also be seen how the retaining element 16 is arranged integrally on the hub 2.

[0075] Figure 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a wheel component 20 for a wheel (not shown) of a vehicle (not shown) according to the present invention.

[0076] The wheel component 20 has a hub 2 which can be connected to a hub flange (not shown) of the vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner and which consists entirely of a metal material, in particular aluminum. The hub 2 is configured solid and substantially cylindrical. Mounting holes (not shown) for mounting the wheel component 20 on the hub flange are configured on the hub 2.

[0077] Furthermore, the wheel component 20 has a rim 21 for receiving a tire (not shown) of the wheel. The rim 21 has a rim portion 22, which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material and on which a rim reinforcement element 23 is arranged, which at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material. The rim reinforcement element 23 is configured as a flexible belt wound around the rim portion 22. The rim portion 22 can be connected to the rim reinforcement element 23 in a material-joined manner. Figures 1 to 4 Unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the rim section 22 extends axially only over approximately half of the rim width.

[0078] Furthermore, the wheel component 20 has a plurality of spokes 7 connecting the hub 2 to the rim 21. Each spoke 7 has a spoke portion 24, which comprises an injection-molded thermoplastic material and in which a portion of a spoke reinforcing element 25 at least partially comprising a fiber-reinforced plastic material is embedded. The spoke reinforcing element 25 is configured as a flexible strip. Each spoke portion 24 can be configured as solid, foamed, as a hollow element or with a rib structure not shown. The spoke portion 24 and the rim portion 22 are integrally connected to each other. The ring of the respective spoke reinforcing element 25 (the ring is not shown) protrudes from the respective spoke 7 on the rim side and can be guided around at least a portion of the rim reinforcing element 23 on the radial outside. The spoke reinforcing portion 24 can be connected to the spoke reinforcing element 25 in a materially joined manner. The spoke portions 24 can be integrally connected to each other on the hub side, thereby forming a coherent spoke structure.

[0079] For each spoke 7, a single retaining element (not shown) similar to Figure 3 and 4 2 are arranged on the hub 2. Each retaining element has a drop-shaped cross section, the rounded portion of which points in the direction of the center 11 of the hub 2. A ring of respective spoke reinforcing elements 25, not shown and protruding from the respective spoke 7 on the hub side, is guided around the respective retaining element on the hub side.

[0080] Again, if Figure 3 and Figure 4 As shown, a plurality of anchoring elements, not shown, may be arranged on the outer cover surface 13 of the hub 2 and embedded in the spoke portions 24 of the corresponding spokes 7. Each anchoring element is configured in a T-shaped manner.

[0081] Figure 6 is a flow chart representing an exemplary method of manufacturing a wheel component for a vehicle wheel using an injection molding tool.

[0082] In method step 100, an injection molding tool is opened. In method step 200, a subassembly is produced by connecting a spoke reinforcement element, which at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material or a rigid foam, to a hub flange which can be connected to a vehicle and is configured in a substantially cylindrical manner and at least partially comprises a metal material. The subassembly may also contain a rim reinforcement element, so that the wheel component can be produced in a single injection molding process.

[0083] In method step 300 , the subassembly is introduced into the open injection molding tool, wherein the spoke reinforcement element is fixed in the desired form. In method step 400 , the injection molding tool is closed.

[0084] In step 500, the subassembly is injection molded with thermoplastic material by injection molding the thermoplastic material into a closed injection molding tool, so that the axial end side of the hub is at least predominantly not covered by the thermoplastic material. When injection molding the subassembly with thermoplastic material, solid component parts, foamed component parts, component parts configured as hollow elements, or component parts with rib structures can be formed. During the injection molding of the subassembly with thermoplastic material, parts of the rim of the wheel component can be formed at the same time. In addition, at least partial curing of the thermoplastic material inside the injection molding tool can be carried out in method step 500.

[0085] In method step 600, the injection molding tool is opened. In method step 700, the subassembly injection-molded with thermoplastic material is removed from the opened injection molding tool.

[0086] It should be understood that terms such as "about," "substantially," and "typically" are not intended to be open-ended terms, and should be interpreted consistent with the manner in which those skilled in the art interpret these terms.

[0087] Although different examples have specific components shown in the drawings, embodiments of the present invention are not limited to those specific combinations. Some components or features from one example may be used in combination with features or components from another example. In addition, the various drawings accompanying the present invention are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show certain details of a particular component or arrangement.

[0088] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the above embodiments are exemplary and not restrictive. That is, modifications of the present invention will fall within the scope of the claims. Therefore, the following claims should be studied to determine their true scope and content.

Claims

1. A wheel component, comprising: at least one spoke, the at least one spoke comprising a spoke portion and a spoke reinforcement element at least partially embedded in the spoke portion, wherein the spoke portion comprises a thermoplastic material and the spoke reinforcement element at least partially comprises a fiber reinforced plastic material; a wheel hub configured to be connected to a hub flange of a vehicle in a rotationally fixed manner, wherein the wheel hub at least partially comprises a metallic material; as well as a rim configured to receive a tire, wherein the at least one spoke connects the hub to the rim; wherein the rim has a rim portion comprising a thermoplastic material and a rim reinforcement element is at least partially arranged on the rim portion, The rim reinforcement element at least partially comprises a fiber-reinforced plastic material; The ring of the spoke reinforcement element protrudes from the at least one spoke on the rim side and is guided around at least a portion of the rim reinforcement element.

2. The wheel component according to claim 1, further comprising: a retaining element disposed on the hub; and wherein the spoke reinforcing element comprises a ring protruding from the at least one spoke on the hub side, and The ring is thereby guided around the retaining element.

3. The wheel component of claim 2, wherein the spoke reinforcing element is configured as a flexible strip.

4. The wheel component according to claim 2, wherein the retaining element has a drop-shaped cross-section, and a rounded portion of the retaining element is arranged toward the center of the hub.

5. The wheel component of claim 1, wherein the hub is cylindrical.

6. The wheel component according to claim 5, wherein at least one anchoring element is embedded in the spoke portion and is arranged on the outer surface of the hub.

7. The wheel component of claim 6, wherein the anchoring element is T-shaped.

8. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein: The spoke portion is connected to the spoke reinforcing element in a materially joined manner, and The rim portion is connected to the rim reinforcement element in a materially joined manner.

9. The wheel component according to claim 1, wherein the spoke portion and the rim portion are integrally connected to each other.

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